In noting the passing of His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony recalled the pope’s visit to Los Angeles. These comments are excerpted from "A Legacy of Life, Light, and Love" that the Cardinal released last Sat., April 2 upon learning of the pontiff’s passing.

"For all of us here in Los Angeles, we remember with vivid memories the visit of Pope John Paul II from Sept. 15 to 16, 1987. The Holy Father was with us for 48 hours, celebrating outdoor Masses in the Memorial Coliseum and in Dodger Stadium. He hosted a gathering of ecumenical and inter-religious leaders, as well as leaders in the entertainment industry.

"One of the most memorable events was his meeting with young people at Universal City. The young people and the pope there were linked by television to other groups of young people in Seattle, Denver and St. Louis. All were involved in prayer, song, and dialogue with the Pope.

"The pope spoke directly to the wondrous ethnic diversity of Southern California in his homily at Dodger Stadium, and called us to a deeper unity and harmony among all peoples here:

‘Today, in the Church in Los Angeles, Christ is Anglo and Hispanic, Christ is Chinese and Black, Christ is Vietnamese and Irish, Christ is Korean and Italian, Christ is Japanese and Filipino, Christ is Native American, Croatian, Samoan, and many other ethnic groups. In this local church, the one risen Christ, the one Lord and Savior, is living in each person who has accepted the word of God and been washed clean in the saving waters of baptism. And the church, with all her different members, remains the one body of Christ, professing the same faith, united in hope and in love.’

"Some have already dubbed him ‘John Paul the Great.’ Of his innumerable achievements, many will remember his indefatigable energy in travel, his longevity, or the canonization of so many saints during his pontificate. Others will focus on his role in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Only the perspective of time, distance, and historical reflection will allow the greatness of his life and legacy to be measured."